Of Coaches Behaving Badly and a Young Girl’s Dream – Opinion

The National Women’s Soccer League’s struggles with coaches behaving badly continued today. Its Orlando franchise is the one to blame. From the league’s press release:

As a result of an ongoing investigation into claims of retaliation for violating the NWSL Policy To Prevent and Eliminate Harassment and Bullying, the NWSLPA Joint Investigative team has recommended that Orlando Pride head coach Amanda Cromwell, as well as assistant coach Sam Greene, be placed on administrative leave immediately. The interim measure is in place while the investigation continues. No final conclusions or determinations have been made.

It is part of an ongoing investigation into workplace misconduct against NWSL players that started in October 2021.

The Pride have accepted the Joint Investigative Team’s preliminary recommendation and a decision regarding both Cromwell’s and Greene’s future with the team will be made after the investigation concludes.

As interim coach, the club appointed Seb Hines as Pride Assistant Coach.

While the Joint Investigation is ongoing, the NWSLPA and NWSLPA invite former and current players to share information about discrimination, harassment or bullying in the league. This could be related to this incident or any other issue. [email protected]For more information, contact the NWSLPA and/or NWSLPA via other clubs or league reporting channels.

Because of the ongoing nature and scope of the investigation the Pride (NWSL) will refrain from commenting further.

The action follows this past April’s suspension of Houston Dash coach and general manager James Clarkson, pending an investigation of harassment charges against him, meaning 2022 is picking up where 2021 left off.

The league faced similar problems in 2021, when Paul Riley was fired by the North Carolina Courage for making allegations of inappropriate behavior toward his players. Riley had previously coached with the Portland Thorns. Lisa Baird (then-NWSL Commissioner) resigned.

Richie Burke, Washington Spirit coach was fired in the same month. This followed a Washington Post article that claimed Burke created an abusive environment at work for his players. And Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames resigned in November amid allegations that ranged from verbal abuse to jokes about players’ ethnicity and religion and improper expectations that players spend time with him beyond practice.

One wonders when this league has the time and energy to actually play soccer.

Let’s get back to the main story. The Athletic shares a few interesting tidbits, even though details are limited.

Multiple sources have confirmed that Orlando’s roster has been frozen by the league to prohibit players from being waived or traded. The Athletic.

According to the policy, the league prohibits reprisal or retaliation for any of the following: “filing a good faith report under (the) Policy; supporting or assisting, in good faith, someone else in pursuing a report or in an investigation; objecting to misconduct; or filing, testifying, assisting or participating in any manner in any investigation, proceeding or hearing conducted by a governmental enforcement agency.”

Ms. Cromwell did not comment publicly about the subject.

Before anyone goes off on a “who cares — it’s only women’s soccer and besides they hate Christians and Megan Rapinoe is a POOPYHEAD” jag, a true story from my day job. An afternoon passed when a granddaughter and her grandmother came into my office. Alex Morgan jerseys were the topic of much interest to this little girl. Although I don’t recall if there was one, I do remember the exchange with each. She loved soccer. Morgan, the US’s national soccer player was Morgan’s dream. Whether one cares for or about women’s soccer is immaterial to the girl’s dream. Should she be one of the blessed few with the skill and determination to play at the sport’s highest levels, she deserves to be able to do so without workplace harassment. No matter what reason. Anyone. Period.